Generating a score related to play on gaming devices

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to generating and displaying a score related to the results of wagering by a player on an electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, a method for generating a score related to play on at least one electronic gaming device includes tracking the amount wagered on the gaming device, tracking the amount awarded by the gaming device, and generating a score related to the tracked amounts.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for generating and displaying scores, each of which is associated with an identified player, the scores being related to play on at least one electronic gaming device, the method comprising:
 predefining a total consecutively wagered amount as a number of credits wagered for a score tracking session associated with a player of the electronic gaming device; 
 receiving an input from the player at the electronic gaming device that identifies the player; 
 receiving credits from the player at the electronic gaming device via at least one of a coin acceptor, a ticket acceptor, a bill acceptor, a credit account, and a debit account; 
 receiving an input from the player at the electronic gaming device to wager at least a portion of the received credits on an outcome of a game played on the electronic gaming device; 
 generating a random outcome of a game played on the electronic gaming device in response to an input initiated by the player at the electronic gaming device; 
 determining an amount awarded based on the random outcome; 
 automatically tracking, via at least one processor, an amount wagered on the at least one electronic gaming device; 
 automatically tracking, via the at least one processor, an amount awarded by the at least one electronic gaming device in response to wagers placed and games played by the player up to the predefined number of credits wagered; 
 dividing, via the at least one processor, the tracked amount awarded by the predefined number of credits wagered to generate an actual hold number; 
 comparing, via the at least one processor, the actual hold number to a theoretical hold number for the electronic gaming device; 
 generating, via the at least one processor, a score for the score tracking session that is a function of the comparison; 
 generating indicia related to the player's identity in response to receipt of the input from the player at the electronic gaming device that identifies the player; 
 displaying the generated indicia on a display associated with the electronic gaming device; 
 displaying the generated score on the display in association with the displayed indicia related to the player's identity; 
 generating, via the at least one processor, the score for each of a plurality of other players of the electronic gaming device; 
 displaying the scores generated for each of the plurality of other players on the display in association with the players' respective identifying indicia; and 
 issuing a ticket printed by a ticket printer incorporated into the electronic gaming device, the ticket reflecting the balance of the player's credits remaining on the gaming device, in response to actuation of a cash-out button on the electronic gaming device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the total consecutively wagered amount as a number of credits is defined in response to a player input prior to the score tracking session. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the total consecutively wagered amount as a number of credits is defined by an input from a casino operator. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the player may reset the tracked amount to an initial value after completion of a gaming event and during a current score tracking session. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tracked amount is reset after the number of credits is wagered that predefines the total consecutively wagered amount. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising modifying light emitted by at least one light display associated with the one electronic gaming device as a function of the player's score during play of the one electronic gaming device by the player. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  further comprising hiding:
 display of the score associated with the player's identifying indicia on the display; and 
 display of the score and associated player identifying indicia for each of a last predefined number of players to play the electronic gaming device on the display. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7  further comprising periodically displaying:
 the score associated with the player's identifying indicia on the display; and 
 the score and associated player identifying indicia for each of a last predefined number of players to play the electronic gaming device on the display. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7  further comprising displaying the score associated with the player's identifying indicia on the display and the score and associated player identifying indicia for each of a last predefined number of players to play the electronic gaming device on the display in response to actuation of an actuator on the electronic gaming device.